Circuit-controlling mechanism for electrically-heated tools.



' PATBNTED MAY 7, 1907.

. W. J. BARR.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIGALLY HEATED TOOLS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.19. 1906.

3 SHEETS-SBEET 1.

llVl/E/VTOR ATTORNEYS No. 852,537. PATENTED MAY '7, 1907. W. J. BARR. CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR ELBGTRIGALLY HEATED TOOLS.

APPLIOATION FILED APB. 19.1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

k. Arm? 0hr By ATTORNEYS No. 852,537. PATBNTED MAY 7, 1907. W. J. BARR.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR ELEGTRIGALLY HEATED TOOLS.

APPLIOATION FILED APR.19,1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEETS.

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17 I, i l I j i :25 l L 5 {Eh I j 3O 30 1 \3O 28 lizf' u m P 1V1 E E---m I 15 {Ll :15 /R WITNESSES. INVENTOR ATTORNEYS 7? 4 JAM,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. BARR, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

CIRQUlT-CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRlCALLY-HEATED TOOLS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May '7', 1907.

Application filed April 19, 1906. Serial No. 312,685.

To all nil 1 07% it nuty concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. BARR, a citizen of the United States of America, re siding at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Circuit-Controlling Mechanism for Electrically- Heated Tools or Instruments, &c.; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andeXact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in circuit-controlling mechanisms or devices more especially designed for electrically heated tools or instruments, such, for instance, as sad-irons, and pertains more especially to circuit-controlling mechanism ada ted to be removably attached or borne by t he handle of a sad-iron and comprising a suitably'supported lever which is actuated against the action of a suitably ap lied spring during the grasping of the grip o the handle, with the arrangement of the members of the circuit-closing mechanism such that the electric circuit of which the electroheating resistance of the sad-iron forms a part is normally open but closed by the actuation of the lever against the action of the spring during the grasping of the grip of the handle preparatory to the use of the sad-iron.

The primary object of this invention is to provide circuit-controlling mechanism of the character indicated which is exceedingly simple and durable in construction, that can be conveniently operated and that is reliable in its operation.

With this object in view, and to the end of realizing other advantages hereinafter appearing, this invention consists 'in certain features of construction, and combinations of parts, hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

.In the accompanying drawings, wherein like letters, numerals or reference-characters are employed toindicate like parts, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a sad-iron whose handle is provided with my improved circuit-controlling mechanism, and in this figure the body of the sad-iron and the casing of the circuit-controlling mechanism are in section to more clearly show the construction. Fig. 2 is a right hand side elevation relative to Fig. 1. In 131 8 figure the electric source is diagrammatically illustrated, and the sheet metal wall of the casing of the cirlooking outwardly.

, preferably of a sheet-metal piece.

cuit-controlling mechanism is removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3 3, Fig. 1, looking inwardly. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on line 44, Fig. 1, looking outwardly. Fig. 5 is a vertical section on line 5-5, Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on line 6 6, Fig. 1, locking downwardly. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on line 7 7, Fig. 3, looking downwardly. Figs. 8 and 9 are views largely corresponding with Figs. 1 and 2, except that Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate the actuation of the circuit-closer of my improved circuit-controlling mechanism into an operative position, and Fig. .9 illustrates the operation of the means employed in locking the circuitcloser in an operative position.

The drawings are made on an enlarged scale and portions are broken away in the drawings to reduce their size and to more clearly show certain features of construction.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates the body of the sadiron. The body A is provided interiorly with an electroheating resistance C which is constructed or formed in any approved manner and employed in heating the bottom or ironing surface of the body of the sad-iron.

B indicates the handle of the sad-iron, and o, the handle-top or grip of the handle. The handle B is secured to the body A in any approved manner.

The handle B is providedat one end of the sad-iron with a vertically arranged flat surface 10 against which abuts the casing E of my improved circuit-controlling mechanism which casing (see Figs.'1 and 2) is provided interiorly with a chamber 12 in which my improved circuit-controlling mechanism is largely contained, which chamber has a top wall 13, a bottom 14, two laterally spaced upright side walls 15 and 15 and an upright wall 16 arranged between the walls 15 and 15 and abutting against the surface 10 of the handle. The chamber 12. is also provided with an upright wall 17 which is spaced a suitable distance outwardly from and opposite the wall 16. The wall 17 extends between the top wall 13 and bottom 14 and is removably secured to the bottom and top Wall by screws 18. The wall 17 is composed The top wall 13, the bottom 14 and theupright walls 15, 15 and 16 of the chamber 12 are composed preferably of a single casting which is referably removably secured to the handle B by suitably applied screws D which prefer- -K and 7c respectively.

between the side walls 15 and 15 and a suitable distance outwardly from the wall 16 with a hole 20 which extends vertically through the said top wall.

A lever F .(see Figs. 1 and 2)'is pivoted horizontally and transversely of the sad-iron between the hole 20 and the upper end of the wall 17 to the top wall 13 by a pinf which is arranged horizontally and at a right angle to the grip b and extends through the top wall 13 and through two ears 19 integral with the lever F and preferably formed upon and depending from the lever at opposite ends respectively of the said pin. The lever F extends from its point of attachment to the upper end of the casing E to and over and longitudinally of the grip b of the handle B and is normally spaced .a suitable distancetrom the said grip. The lever is obviously capable of being swung in a vertical plane toward and from the grip b. The lever F is provided with a hole 22 arranged over the hole 20 in the top of the casing E. The hole 22 accommodates the extension through the lever of two insulated wires H and h which electrically connect with opposite terminals respectively of a generator or electric source G which is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2. The hole 20 in the top wall 13 accommodates the extension of the wires H and h downwardly through the said wall into the chamber 12, and the said wires within the upper end of the said chamber are electrically connected in anyapproved manner with stationary contacts K and 76 respectively removably secured to the said wall 13 by screws 24 which are insulated from the casing E, as at 25, as shown very clearly in Fig. 4. The contacts K and 7c are spaced laterally within the upper portion of the chamber 12 of the casing E. The contacts K and 7c are arranged a suitable distance from the wall 16 of the chamber 12 and the lower portions of the said contacts possess sfiinginess and preferably lncline somewhat downwardly and outwardly from the sad-iron-handle. Two ver tioally movable contact-fingers L and Z have their upper portions overlapping thelower lnclined portion of the stationary contacts The said up er portions of the contact-fingers L and possess sprmginess and preferably somewhat inclined upwardly and inwardly. The lower portions of the contact-fingers L and 1- (see Figs. 1 and 2) are arranged vertically over stationary con tacts M and m respectively which are 1riount ed uponthe bottom 14 of the chamber 12 and electrically connected in any approved manner by suitably applied binding posts P and A 1) respectively with wiresN and n which are l electrically connected with opposite terminals l respectively of the electroheating resistance C of the sad-iron. The bindingposts P and p and contacts M and m are insulated from the casing E, as at 26, as shown very clearly in Fig. 5. The contacts M and m are 'each provided with two oppositely arranged spring jaws 28 which are relatively arranged to form a ti-shaped space between them as shown in Fig. 1. The arrangement of the parts is such that the contact-fingers L and Z are normally in their upper positions out of contact with the contacts K k and M m.

The arrangement of the parts is such that during the downward movement of the fingers L and Z the contact-finger L will establish electrical connection between the contacts K and M and the contact-finger Z will establish electrical connection between the contacts 7c and m, and that the contactfingers L and Z will pass between and spread apart the jaws 28 of the contacts M and m respectively. The c'ontact-fingers L and Z obviously constitute the circuit,- closing meansor circuit-closer of my improved c1rcuit-controlling mechanism. The contactfingers L and Z are of course operated simultaneously and are preferably removably se cured by means of screws 30 to a block R of insulating material, such, for instance, as hard vulcanized fiber. The block R is movable vertically within the chamber 12 below the contacts K and 7c, and the arrangement of the parts is such that in the upper and normal position of the block the contactfingers L and Z or circuit-closing means are out of electrical connection with the contacts K and 7c and M and m and consequently in an inoperative position which is the normal position of the circuit-closing means or c1r-- cuit-closer. The block R is provided with a screw-threaded hole 1 which extends vertically through the block, and a vertically arranged sleeve S is screw-threaded externally at its lower end and screwed into the block R at the hole 7. The block R and sleeve S are therefore rigid with each other. The sleeve S in its upper and normal pos1t1on, that is, in the inoperative positron of the circuit-closing means,abuts against the top wall 13 of the chamber 12, whichwall limits upward movement of the said sleeve and connected block and circuit-elosing-means.

A tubular casing T rests upon the bottom 14 of the chamber 12 and extends upwardly into the sleeve S, and a spiral spring a surrounds the casing T and is confined between the said bottom 14 and the lower ends of the block R and sleeve S. The spring it acts to retain the block R and connected sleeve S and circuit-closing means in then upper and normal position. I r

A plunger W extends loosely through a hole 32 which is formed in and extends vertically through the top wall 13 of the chamber 12 vertically above the upper end of the easing T. (See Figs. 1 and 3). The plunger WV has lateral bearing within the said wall 13 and extends from the under side of the lever S downwardly through the hole 32 into the sleeve S and into the upper end of the casing T, and a spiral spring :0 is confined within the casing T below the lower end of the plunger W and acts to retain the plunger and connected lever F in their upper and normal position. The plunger W in its upper and normal position abuts against the under side of the lever E, as shown in Fig. 1, and the plunger is provided below the top wall 13 of the chamber 12 with a pin to which extends horizontally and laterally through the plunger beyond opposite sides of the plunger, and in the normal position of the very clearly in Fig. 3, and. limits upward movement of the plunger. The pin 10 proj ects laterally of opposite sides of the plunger l/V through opposite sides respectively of the upper end of the sleeve S which is provided in its upper edge (see Figs. 3 and 7) with recesses 33 engaged by the ends of the pin 10. The pin '10 establishes operative connection between the plunger W and. the sleeve S for the purpose of lowering the said sleeve and connected block and circuit-closing means during the downward actuation. of the plunger. it will be observed that the pin to not only cooperates with the top wall 13 in limiting upward movement of the plunger, hut constitutes means instrumental in trans mitting motion to the sleeve from the plunger during the downward movement of the plunger. The wall 16 is enlarged in thickness, as at 34, around the adjacent portion of the sleeve S, as shown very clearly in Fig. 7, and the thicker portion 34 of the said wall not only forms a lateral bearing therefore to the said sleeve but extends into close proximity to the ends of the pin w and therefore cooperates with the said pin in preventing turning of the plunger and sleeve.

Means for locking thacircuit-closing means in an operative position is provided and comprises preferably a latch g which is arranged in an upright position within the chamber 12 adjacent the thicker portion 34 of the wall 16 and is pivoted at its lower end and horizontally, as at 35, (see Fig. 3) to the said wall. The latch y is arranged within its axis at a right angle to the axis of the lever F. The latch y is arranged to render it capable of being swung toward and from the sleeve S, and the upper end portion of the said latch curves upwardly and toward the said sleeve and in the upper and normal position of the plunger abuts at its upper end against the adj acent end face of the pin w, as

shown in Fig. 3. A suitably applied spring 36 is confined between the rear side of the latch and the adjacent wall 15 and acts to swing the latch toward the sleeve S. The

latch y is provided at its forward side with two teeth 37 and 38 having downwardly and forwardly sloping upper sides and spaced vertically and forming a notch 39 between them (see Fig. 3) and the sleeve S is provided a suitable distance below its upper end with a tooth 40 which projects somewhat upwardly and laterally toward the latch 3/. in the normal position of the parts the tooth 40 is above the notched portion of the latch y, and the arrangement of the parts is such that during the downward actuation of the plunger to render the circuit-closing means operative the pin to disengages the upper end of the latch z to permit the forward movement of the latch by the spring 36 and the sleevetooth 40 comes into engagement first with the notch 32) and then moves adown the inbecomes overhung tooth.

The sheet metal wall 17 of the casing E is preferably extended, as at 42, downwardly below the bottom 11 and in under the hinding-posts P and p, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

The operation of my improved circuit-controlling mechanism is as follows :-The operator in grasping the grip b of the handle B also grasps the lever l1 and swings the lever downwardly and toward the said grip and obviously retains the said lever in its downwardly swung position while he works with the iron. That end of the grip b which is adjacent the casing E limits the downward movement of the lever. During the downward movement of the lever the plunger is depressed or lowered against the action of the spring at. During the downward actuation of the plunger the sleeve S and connected block R and circuit-closing means are actuated downwardly against the action of the spring During the downward movement of the insulating block it the circuit-closing means formed by the contact-lingers lJ and l is rendered operative and the electric circuit comprising the generator or electric source G, the Wires H and h, the contacts K and Zr, the contact fingers ll and Z, the contacts M and m, the binding posts P and 79, the wires N and n and the resistance C is closed as required to effect a heating of the ironing surface of the sad-iron. The arrangement of the parts is preferably such that the contact-lingers L and Z during their downward movement will engage the contacts K and krespectively before they connect with the contacts M and m respectively. As soon as the tooth of the sleeve S during the actuation of the circuitclosing means into an operative position comes in under the upper tooth 37 of the latch the contact-fingers L and I will simultaneously come into engagement with the contacts M and m respectively so that the contact-fingers L and Z as they come into engagement with the contacts M and m respecby the last-mentioned tively will be locked against upward movement by the overlapping of the sleeve-tooth 40 by the upper latch-tooth 37, as shown in Fig. 9, so that the contact-fingers L and Z when once rendered operative are retained in an operative position while the grip b and lever F are within. the grasp of the operator. Ofcourse, a proper grasp of the grip Z) and lever F will swing the said lever the full distance and not merely part way, as illustrated in Fig. 8, and the arrangement of the parts is such that when the lever is swung the full distance in the direction of the grip b the sleeve-tooth 40 shall have moved in under the lower latch-tooth 38 and be overhung by the said latch-tooth. When the lever F is released the plunger W is elevated by the action of the spring x, and the lever is swung upwardly by the upward movement of the plunger. The plunger moves upwardly until its pin w strikes against the top wall 13 of the chamber 12. During the upward actuation of the plunger the pin w actuates the latch y against the action of the spring 36 and disengages the said latch from the sleevetooth so as to permit the said sleeve and the connected circuit-closing means to be actuated into their normal position by the spring a, and the pin w upon the actuation of the plunger into its normal position engages and retains the latch in its normal and inoperative position as shown in Fig. 3.

My improved circuit-controllingmechanism, being wholly carried by a casing remov ably secured to an end of the sad-iron, is out of the way of the grip of the handle and has all of its component members and wire connections readily accessible for repairs.

What I claim is 1. The combination, with the body of a sadiron; ahandle attached to the body, and electroheating resistance within the body, of an interiorly chambered casing rigid with the handle, with the interior chamber of the casing having a top wall, a bottom, two opposite walls spaced laterally of the sad-iron, an upright wall arranged between the two laterally spaced walls and overlapping the adjacent portion of the handle, with the said upright walls, bottom and top wall formed of a single casting, said chamber havinga sheet metal wall arranged opposite and a suitable dis tance from the handle-overlapping wall and removably secured to adjacent portions of the casing; suitably supported separated contacts arranged within the aforesaid chamher and adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit comprising the aforesaid resistance, and a suitably supported circuit-closer normally arranged in an inoperative position but movable to establish electrical connection between the contacts.

2. The combination, with the body. of a sad-iron, and a handle attached to the body,

at one end of and rigid with the handle, with the interior chamber of the casing having a top wall, a bottom, two opposite upright walls spaced laterally of the sad-iron, an upright wall arranged between the two laterally spaced walls and overlapping and secured to the aforesaid end of the handle, with the said upright walls, bottom and top wall formed of a single piece, said chamber also having a wall arranged opposite and a suitable distance from the handlc-overlapping wall and removably secured to adjacent portions of the casing, and means for establishing an electric circuit which comprises an electroheating resistance within the body of the sadiron, an electric source, suitably supported separated contacts arranged within the aforesaid chamber, and a suitably supported circuit-closer normally arranged in an inoperative position but movable to establish electrical connection. between the contacts.

3. The combination, with the body of a sad-iron; a handle attached to the body, and the electroheating resistance of'the sad-iron, of a casing forming a chamber and arranged at one end of and rigid with the handle; separated contacts arranged within the chamber of and supported but insulated from the easing, which contacts are adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit comprising the aforesaid resistance; a circuitcloser for establishing electrical connection between the contacts, which circuit-closer is normally arranged in an inoperative position but movable into its circuit-closing or operative position, and means within the aforesaid chamber for locking the circuit-closer upon the actuation of the circuit-closer into its operative position.

4. The combination, with the body of a sad-iron a handle attached to the body, and the electroheating resistance of the sad-iron, of a casing forming a chamber and extending up and down one end of and rigid with the handle; a circuit-closer contained within the chamber and, adapted to close an electric circuit comprising the aforesaid resistance, which circuit-closer is normally in an inoperative position but movable into its circuitclosing and operative position; means whereby the circuit-closer is locked upon the actuation of the circuit-closer into an operative position, and means whereby the said locking means is rendered inoperative during the actuating of the circuit-closer from its operative position into its normal position;

5. The combination, with the body of a sad-iron a handle attached to the body, and an electroheating resistance within the body, of a circuit-closer arranged externally of the handle and adapted to close an electric circuit comprising the aforesaid resistance, which circuit-closer is normally in an inopof an interiorly chambered casing arranged erativeposition but movable into its circuitof a vertically movable circuit-closer ar- -sad-iron, a handle attached to the body, and

the handle, which casing is rigid with the closing and operative position; means whereby the circuit-closer is locked upon the actuation of the circuit-closer into an operative position, and means whereby the said locking means is rendered inoperative during the actuating of the circuit-closer from its operative position into its normal position.

6. The combination, with the body of a sad-iron, a handle attached to the body, and the electroheating resistance of the sad-iron, of a casing forming a chamber at one end of the handle; a circuit-closer contained and movable vertically within the said chamber and adapted to close an electric circuit comprising the aforesaid resistance,'which circuit-closer is normally in its upper and inoperative position; means acting to retain the circuit-closer in its normal position, and means for actuating the circuit-closer downwardly into an operative position.

7. The combination, with the body of a sad-iron; a handle attached to the body, and the electroheating resistance of the sad-iron,

ranged externally of but borne by the handle and adapted to close an electric circuit comprising the aforesaid resistance, which cir cuit-closer is normally in its upper and inoperative position; means whereby the circuitcloser is locked upon the actuation of the cir cuit-closer downwardly into an operative position, and means whereby the said locking means is rendered inoperative during the actuating of the circuitcloser from its lower into its upper position.

8. The combination, with the body of a the electroheating resistance of the sad-iron, of a casing forming a chamber at one end of sad-iron, a circuit-closer arranged and mov-' able within the said chamber and normally in its inoperative position, which circuitcloser is adapted to close an electric circuit comprising the aforesaid resistance, a lever fulcrumed to the said casing, and means whereby motion is transmitted to the circuit-closer from the lever to actuate the circuit-closer into its circuit-closing and operative position.

9. .The combination, with the body of a sadir0n, a handle having a grip and attached to the body, and the electroheating resistance of the sad-iron, of a casing forming a chamber at one end of the handle, which casing is rigid with the sad-iron, a circuitcloser arranged and movable within the said chamber and normally in its inoperative position, which circuit-closer is adapted to close an electric circuit comprising the aforesaid resistance, a lever fulcrumed to the upper end of the said casing and extending from the casing to and longitudinally of the grip of the handle, and means whereby motion is transmitted to the circuit-closer from 1 the lever to actuate the circuit-closer into its circuit-closing and operative position during the swinging of the lever toward the grip of the handle in grasping the lever and grip.

10. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the combination, with separated contacts adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit; circuit-closing means adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts and normally in an inoperative position but movable into a circuit-closing and operative position, of an insulating blUCk bearing the circuit-closing means and provided with a hole extending through the block; a sleeve extending into the said hole and operatively connected with the block to render it capable of actuating the block in. the direction required to render the circuitclosing means operative; a plunger extending into and movable endwise of the sleeve; means acting to retain the plunger in its normal position, and means whereby motion is transmitted from the plunger to the sleeve to actuate the circuit-closing means into an operative position. i 11. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the combination, with a casing forming a chamher; a suitably supported lever; separated cont-acts arranged within the chamber and supported but insulated from the casing, 5 which contacts are adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit; circuitclosing means adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts and normally in an inoperative position but movable into a circuit-closing and operative position, of an insulating block bearing the circuitclosing means; a sleeve cperatively connected with the block to render it capable of actuating the block in the direction required to render the circuit-closing means operative; a plunger extending into and movable endwise of the sleeve, which plunger is arranged to be actuated by the aforesaid lever in the direction required to actuate the U0 sleeve; means acting to retain the plunger in its normal position; means acting to retain the sleeve and connected circuit-closing means in their normal position, and means for transmitting motion from the plunger to I I 5 the sleeve to bring the circuit-closing means into an operative position.

12. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the combination, of a casing forming a chamber a lever fulcrumedto the casing; separated suit- I20 ably supported contacts arranged within the chamber and adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit; circuit-closing means adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts and normally 12 5 in an inoperative position but movable into a circuit-closing and operative position; a plunger arranged to beactuated by the lever in one direction; means acting to retain the plunger in its normal position,' and means 1 0 whereby the actuation of the plunger by the aforesaid lever results in the movement of the circuit-closing means into an operative position.

13. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the combination, with a casing forming a chamber a lever fulcrumed to the upper end of the casing; suitably supported vertically spaced contacts within the chamber and adapted to participate in the, formation of an electric circuit, of circuit-closing means adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts and normally in an inoperative poconnection between the contacts and normally in an inoperative position, of an insulating block bearing the circuit closing means and provided with 3 a screw-threaded hole extending through the block; an externally screw-threaded sleeve screwed into the block; a plunger extending into and movable endwise of the sleeve; means acting to retain the sleeve and connected block and circuit-clos ing means in their normal position, and means for transmitting motion from the plunger to the sleeve to actuate the circuitclosing means into an o erative position.

15. In circuit-contro ling mechanism, the combination, with suitably supported separated contacts adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit, and circuitclosing means adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts and normally in an inoperative position,,of an insulating block bearing the circuit-closing means; a sleeve operatively connected with the block to render the circuit-closing means capable of being rendered operative; a plunger extending into and movable endwise of the sleeve and provided with means arranged to actuate the sleeve in the direction required to move the circuit-closing means intoa circuit-closing and operative position; means acting to retain the sleeve and connected block and circuit-closing means in their normal position, and means acting to retain the plunger into its normal position. I v

16. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the combination, with suitably supported verti cally spaced contacts adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit, and circuitclo sing. means adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts and normally in an inoperative position, of a suitably supported vertically movable insulating block bearing the circuit-closing means; means acting to retain the block in position holding the circuit-closing means in an inoperative position; an upright plunger; means whereby motion is transmitted to the block by the actuation of the plunger vertically in one direction.

17. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the combination, with a casing forming a chamber; Vertically spaced insulated contacts arranged within the chamber and adapted to participate in the formation of an electric ci.r.

cuit, and circuit-closing means arranged within the chamber and adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts and normally in an inoperative position; means acting to retain the circuit-closing means in its normal position; a plunger extending from above the chamber downwardly into the chamber; means acting to retain the plunger in its upper and normal positionQand means whereby the downward actuation of the plunger results in the move ment of the circuit-closing means into an operative position.

18. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the combination, with vertically spaced contacts adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit; circuit-closing means adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts and normally in an inoperative position, and an insulating block bearing the circuit-closing means, of a sleeve secured to the block; a plunger extending into and movable endwise of the sleeve and provided with means arranged to actuate the sleeve in the direction required to move the circuit-closing means into a circu it-closing and operative position; a spiral spring acting to retain the plunger in its normal position, and a spiral spring acting to retain the sleeve and connected. block and circuit-closing means in their normal position.

19. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the combination, with suitably spaced contacts adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit, and circuit-closing means adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts and normally in an inoperative position, of an insulating block hearing the circuit-closing means and provided with a hole extending vertically through the block; a sleeve extending into the said hole and rigid with the block; a plunger extending into and movable endwise of the sleeve and provided with means arranged to actuate the sleeve endwise in the direction and to the extent required to actuate the circuitclosing means into an operative position; a spiral spring arranged at one end of the plun ger and acting to retain the plunger in its normal position; a suitably supported casing extending around the said spring and into the sleeve, and a spring acting to retain the sleeve and connected block and circuitclosing means in their normal position.

20. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the combination, with vertically spaced suitably supported contacts adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit; circuitclosing means adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts and normally in an inoperative position, and an insulating block bearing the circuit-closing means, of an upright plunger arranged to be lowered; a spiral spring suitably confined in under the plunger and acting to retain the plunger in its upper position, and means whereby the downward movement of the plunger results in the actuation of the circuit-closing means into an operative position.

21. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the combination with a casing forming a chamher, with the top wall of the chamber pro- 'vided with a hole suitably supported vertically spaced contacts arranged in the chamher and adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit, and circuit-closing means normally in an inoperative position but movable into a circuit-closing position, of a plunger extending into the chamber from above the chamber; means acting to retain the plunger in its upper and normal position; means whereby the downward actuation of the plunger results in the movement of the circuit-closing means into a circuit-closing position, and a lever arranged above and fulcrumed to the aforesaid casing, which lever extends over the upper end of the plunger and has a hole 22 arranged over the hole in the aforesaid wall of the chamber.

. 22. In circuit-closing mechanism, the (301m bination, with a casing forming a chamber; suitably supported vertically spaced contacts arranged within the chamber and adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit, and circuit-closing means adapted to establish electrical connection between but normally disengaged from the contacts, of a suitably supported vertically movable sleeve arranged within the chamber adjacent one of the upright walls of the chamber; means whereby the downward movement of the sleeve results in actuating the circuit-closing means into a circuit-closing position, and means acting to retain the circuit-closing means in its normal position, and the aforesaid wall of the chamber extending around the adjacent portion of the sleeve so as to afford lateral bearing to the sleeve.

23. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the combination, with vertically spaced suitably supported contacts adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit; circuitclosing means adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts and norand normally arranged to be lowered, of an upright sleeve operatively connected with the block to lower the block, which sleeve is provided in its upper extremity with two recesses arranged at opposite sides respectively of the sleeve; means acting to retain the block and connected sleeve in their upper and normal position; a plunger extending into the sleeve from above and normally ar ranged to be lowered; means acting to retain the plunger in its upper and normal position, and a pin extending through the plunger and engaging the aforesaid recesses.

24. In circuit-closing mechanism, the combinaticn, with suitably supported separated contacts adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit, and circuit-closing means adapted to establish electrical connection between but normally disengaged from the contacts, of a suitably sup orted vertically movablesleeve operative y connected with the circuit-closing means to actuate the latter into a circuit-closing and operative position, which sleeve is provided in its upper edge with a recess; an endwise movable plunger extending into the sleeve; a pin extending laterally through the plunger and engaging the aforesaid recess, and a stationary member arranged at one side of the pin at both ends of the pin and cooperating with the pin in preventing turning of the sleeve and plunger.

25. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the combination, with vertically spaced suitably supported contacts adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit; circuit closing means adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts and normally in an inoperative position, and an insulating block bearing the circuit-closing means and normally arranged to be lowered, of an upright sleeve operatively connected with the block to lower the block, which sleeve is provided in its upper extremity with two recesses arranged at o pcsite sides respectively of the sleeve an has a laterally projecting tooth externally and a suitable distance below the upper end of the sleeve; means acting to retain the sleeve in its upper and normal position; a plunger extending into the sleeve from above and arranged to be lowered; means acting to retain the plungel" in its upper and normal position; a pin extending through the plunger and through the aforesaid recesses; a pivotally supported latch having a notch and normally overlapping an end surface of the said pin in the normal position of the plunger and arranged to E swing toward the sleeve upon being disengaged by the pin during the downward movement of the plunger, and means acting to swing the said latch toward the sleeve, all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

26. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the

\ and normal.

combination, with verticall spaced suitably supported contacts adapte to participate in the formation of an electric circuit, of circuitclosing means adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts and normally in an inoperative position; an insulating block bearing the c1rcuit-closing means and normally arranged to be lowered; means for actuating. the block downwardly; means acting to retain the block in its upper and normal position, and means for limiting upward movement of the block.

27. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the combination, with vertically spaced contacts adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit; circuit-closing means adaptsults in the lowering of the bloclqmeans act ing to retain the plunger in its upper and normal position, and means for limiting upward movement of the plunger.

28. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the combination, with vertically supported contacts adapted to participate in the formation of an electric circuit; circuit-closing means adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts and normally in an inoperative position, and a block bearing the circuit-closing means and normally arranged to be lowered, of an upright sleeve operatively connected with the block to lower the block and having a laterally projecting tooth eX- ternally a suitable distance below the upper end of the sleeve; means acting to retain the sleeve and connected block in their upper position; a pivotally supported latch arranged to swing toward and from the sleeve, which latch has a toothed portion .ar ranged to cooperate with the aforesaid sleevetooth in looking the sleeve in the operative position of the circuit-closing meansfmeans acting to swing the said latch toward the sleeve; a plunger extending into the sleeve from above and having alaterally projecting member to arranged at the upper end of the sleeve in position to lower the sleeve during the downward movement of the plunger and to actuate the latch and render the latter inoperative during the upward movement of the plunger and retain the latch'in an inoperative position in the upper and normal positlon of the plunger and means acting to retain the plunger in its upper and normal position. I D

29. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the

combination, with separated contacts adapted to partlclpate 1n the formation of an electric circuit, and circuit-closing means adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts and normally in an inoperative position, of an endwise movable sleeve operatively connected with the circuit-closing means to actuate the latter into an operative position, which sleeve is insulated from the circuit' closing means and has a laterally proj ecting tooth externally; means acting to retain'the sleeve and connected circuit-closing means in their normal position; a pivotally supported latch arranged to swing toward and from the sleeve, which latch has a notch arranged to cooperate with the aforesaid tooth in looking the sleeve in an operative position of the'circuit-closing means; means acting toswing the said latch toward the sleeve; a plunger extending into the sleeve and provided with means arranged to render the latch inoperative during the movement of the plunger into its normal position and to the normal position of the plunger, and means acting to retain the plunger in its normal position.

30. In circuit-controlling means, the comretain the latch in an inoperative position in i bination, with separated contacts adapted to f participate in the formation of an electric circuit; circuit-closing means adapted to establish electrical connection between the con.- tacts and normally in an inoperative position, and a movable block bearing the circuit-closing means, of a sleeve operatively connected with the block to actuate the circuit-closing means into an operative position and having a laterally projecting tooth externally; a suitably supported latch arranged to move toward and from the sleeve, which latch has a toothed portion arranged to cooperate with the aforesaid tooth in locking the sleeve in an operative position of the circuit-closing means; means acting to move the latch toward the sleeve, and alplunger fextending into the sleeve and operatively 5 connected with the sleeve to actuate the latter to render the circuit-closing means operative and provided with means arranged to render the latch inoperative during the movement of the plunger into its normal position and to retain the latch in an inoperative position in the normal position of the plunger.

31. In circuit-closing mechanism, the combination, of a casing forming a chamber; two laterally spaced contacts arranged Within the upper portion and supported but insulated from the casing and adapted to participate in the formation ofanelectric circuit; two laterally spaced contacts arranged within the lower portion of the aforesaid. chamber and insulated from the casing and adapted to participate in the formation of the said electric circuit; a vertically movable insulating chamber between the upper and lower con- \tacts; circuit-closing means borne by the said block and comprising two contact-fingers adapted to electrically connect the different upper contacts respectively with the different lower contacts respectively during the downward movement of the block; blocklowering means, and means for actuating the block from-its lower into its upper position.

32. In circuit-controlling mechanism, the combination, of a casing forming a chamber; two suitably supported laterally spaced contacts arranged within the upper portion of the chamber and insulated from the casing and ada ted to participate in the formation of an e ectric circuit; two laterally spaced contacts arranged within the lower portion 'of the chamber and insulated from the casing and adapted to participate in the formation of the said electric circuit, and circuit-closing means comprising two suitably supported movable contact-fingers insulated from each other and adapted to electrically connect the different upper contacts respectively with the different lower contacts respectively during the downward movement of the said contactfingers; means for actuating the said contactfingers simultaneously to close the circuit, and means acting to retain the said contact-fingers in their normal position.

In testimony whereof, I sign the foregoing specification, in the presence of wo Witnesses.

WILLIAM J. BARR.

Witnesses C. H. DORER, B. 0. BROWN. 

